Microsoft Office Word (or another word processing program)
Paper
Printer (with ink)
Job listing and description
Writing utensil
Definition of Cover Letter- General
A cover letter is a letter sent with other documents to clarify more fully or supply a better understanding of what the items following the cover letter are indented to mean to the reader. The cover letter is usually an introduction to another document, or goes together with another document such as a resume.
Definition of Cover Letter- Specific
The cover letter contains details for the items accompanying the letter. When sent with a resume, the cover letter is provided in order to give additional information on your skills and previous job experience. A cover letter is very important because the letter may be the first item the hiring manager will read. Without a professionally written cover letter, a hiring manager may not even continue to read over the resume you have provided them.
For more help on understanding what a cover letter is about and how cover letters can help you in your job application process, please visit: Cover letter help
Components
Contact Information
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Formatting
Contact Information
Within the contact information there should be all relevant information for a potential employer to contact you. This information should include your full name, telephone number, e-mail and current address.
Introduction
Within the introduction is where there should be a statement of what position is being applied for. This is the time to show why, and how much you want this position. By identifying the job you want, you let the employer know of your desire for this position. You could also start off an introduction by praising on accomplishments, which a lot of employers enjoy.
Body
Within the middle section of a cover letter there should be details on education (major), experience (work, years, and qualifications), and also the interest in the position and why. The body is sometimes called the qualification section. This is your time to explain why and how you can contribute. This section is sometimes divided into the education section and work experience.
Conclusion
Lastly there is the conclusion which should include a thank you, contact information and a statement that personalizes the letter. If you’re planning to call or follow up with a letter there should be an indication of this in your conclusion. An even better idea is to be almost bold with your reader and say that you WILL call them in one week asking if you can have an interview.
Formatting
When it comes to the formatting of the cover letter make sure that you use a conventional format, where you include
Date
Proper contact information
The heading should match the resume
Complimentary closing
Signature
Tips for a Cover Letter
Make sure the cover letter is customized with the name of the person it’s being sent to.
Make sure to focus on the most important thing.
Format Strategically
Be specific in what it is you’re looking to do and bring to the job.
Reference some of your strengths, relevant and retaining to the position.
Make sure to check for spelling and grammatical errors.
Follow up
Steps for Completing a Cover Letter
1. Research the company if you are writing a cover letter for your resume.
Researching the company will not only make your cover letter seem more appealing but this research will also help you be prepared to answer questions in your interviews. Researching can come from your own knowledge, knowledge from someone who already works at the company, by contacting the company, by searching the web, or by visiting the library. (Examples Anderson Text pg 51.)
2. Address the cover letter to someone that has a direct influence or authority to hire you.
Addressing the cover letter to the hiring manager will help bring their attention to the page. This may also help them feel respected and therefore more likely to read your cover letter and resume.
3. Explain how your qualifications match the needs of the organizations.
You want the employer to hire you so listing ways that make you favorable for the organization will greatly increase your chance of being hired into the organization.
4. Include the date and inside address to the person reading the cover letter.
Including the date and address will add a professional touch to the cover letter and show that you want to personally send this cover letter to one specific company.
5. Business letters have three parts: introduction, body and conclusion. In the letter do the following:
Identify the job you want.
Demonstrate your knowledge of the employer’s company or organization.
Explain why you have chosen to apply to this employer.
Explain how your qualifications enable you to contribute to the employer’s success.
Indicate the next step you will take. (Steps for letter Anderson Text pg 51.)
6. Pay attention to the appearance of your cover letter, making sure that the letter is neat and organized.
A cover letter that is neat and organized will affect your readers in a positive way and help them to continue reading through the entire letter.
7. Revise your cover letter.
Review the personality you project, make sure your tone is not overconfident or ineffective and change your cover letter for each employer.
Troubleshooting for Cover Letters
Customization
Make sure that the cover letter is customized and specific to the job that you are looking to do. Customization of a cover letter will help lead the company to see how serious you are about applying to their specific organization and job. The cover letter being customized will also help to show an overview of the skills that you have that are similar to the experiences need to obtain a certain job.
Reference Your Strengths
A cover letter should be a place to express strengths that you posses that would be important if you were to be hired by the company. The cover letter can contain any relevant skills to the job. You can also include awards and achievements the may help you to be hired for the position.
Spelling and Grammar
Spelling and grammar of your cover letter should be reviewed before handing over your cover letter to a hiring manager. Spelling errors can easily be corrected by using spell check and re-reading your cover letter. Grammar should also be reviewed and checked for problems with run-on sentences, commas, and other grammatical errors.
Length
The length of your cover letter should be about one page. The cover letter should contain an introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction should identify the job that you would like and relate your experiences to the job. The body should show specifically your qualifications related to the employer’s company. The conclusion should explain how you will follow up your cover letter or if you are planning to be contacted then this is when you can state where and when you can be reached by the employer.
Types There are three different types of cover letters.
Invited cover letters adress a response to a job ad.
Uninvited cover letters are when you are applying to a job without an ad.
Referral cover letters are when you know someone at the company or have had an internship at the company and know how the company works on a daily basis.
Cover Letter How-To
Writer's Materials
Definition of Cover Letter- General
A cover letter is a letter sent with other documents to clarify more fully or supply a better understanding of what the items following the cover letter are indented to mean to the reader. The cover letter is usually an introduction to another document, or goes together with another document such as a resume.
Definition of Cover Letter- Specific
The cover letter contains details for the items accompanying the letter. When sent with a resume, the cover letter is provided in order to give additional information on your skills and previous job experience. A cover letter is very important because the letter may be the first item the hiring manager will read. Without a professionally written cover letter, a hiring manager may not even continue to read over the resume you have provided them.
For more help on understanding what a cover letter is about and how cover letters can help you in your job application process, please visit:
Cover letter help
Components
Contact Information
Within the contact information there should be all relevant information for a potential employer to contact you. This information should include your full name, telephone number, e-mail and current address.
Introduction
Within the introduction is where there should be a statement of what position is being applied for. This is the time to show why, and how much you want this position. By identifying the job you want, you let the employer know of your desire for this position. You could also start off an introduction by praising on accomplishments, which a lot of employers enjoy.
Body
Within the middle section of a cover letter there should be details on education (major), experience (work, years, and qualifications), and also the interest in the position and why. The body is sometimes called the qualification section. This is your time to explain why and how you can contribute. This section is sometimes divided into the education section and work experience.
Conclusion
Lastly there is the conclusion which should include a thank you, contact information and a statement that personalizes the letter. If you’re planning to call or follow up with a letter there should be an indication of this in your conclusion. An even better idea is to be almost bold with your reader and say that you WILL call them in one week asking if you can have an interview.
Formatting
When it comes to the formatting of the cover letter make sure that you use a conventional format, where you include
Tips for a Cover Letter
Steps for Completing a Cover Letter
1. Research the company if you are writing a cover letter for your resume.
2. Address the cover letter to someone that has a direct influence or authority to hire you.
3. Explain how your qualifications match the needs of the organizations.
4. Include the date and inside address to the person reading the cover letter.
- Including the date and address will add a professional touch to the cover letter and show that you want to personally send this cover letter to one specific company.
5. Business letters have three parts: introduction, body and conclusion.In the letter do the following:
6. Pay attention to the appearance of your cover letter, making sure that the letter is neat and organized.
- A cover letter that is neat and organized will affect your readers in a positive way and help them to continue reading through the entire letter.
7. Revise your cover letter.Troubleshooting for Cover Letters
Customization
Make sure that the cover letter is customized and specific to the job that you are looking to do. Customization of a cover letter will help lead the company to see how serious you are about applying to their specific organization and job. The cover letter being customized will also help to show an overview of the skills that you have that are similar to the experiences need to obtain a certain job.
Reference Your Strengths
A cover letter should be a place to express strengths that you posses that would be important if you were to be hired by the company. The cover letter can contain any relevant skills to the job. You can also include awards and achievements the may help you to be hired for the position.
Spelling and Grammar
Spelling and grammar of your cover letter should be reviewed before handing over your cover letter to a hiring manager. Spelling errors can easily be corrected by using spell check and re-reading your cover letter. Grammar should also be reviewed and checked for problems with run-on sentences, commas, and other grammatical errors.
Length
The length of your cover letter should be about one page. The cover letter should contain an introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction should identify the job that you would like and relate your experiences to the job. The body should show specifically your qualifications related to the employer’s company. The conclusion should explain how you will follow up your cover letter or if you are planning to be contacted then this is when you can state where and when you can be reached by the employer.
Types
There are three different types of cover letters.